Nail enamel composition

ABSTRACT

Nail enamel compositions include a primary film forming polymer, a secondary film forming resin, a solvent and a plasticizer. The secondary film forming resin is present in the composition in an amount greater than the primary film forming polymer. The resulting nail enamel composition has improved wear characteristics and properties which are suitable for use as base coats, color coats, clear coats and protective top coats.

This application is a continuation application of application Ser. No.08/762,928 filed on Dec. 10, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,863,523.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to nail enamel compositions,and more particularly, to such compositions which are suitable for useas base coats, color coats, clear coats and protective top coats forcoating natural and synthetic nails. Still more particularly, thepresent invention relates to nail enamel compositions which exhibitimproved wear characteristics and properties by virtue of the presenceof one or more secondary film forming resins in an amount greater thanthe primary film forming polymer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Nail enamel compositions include a class of nail care products regularlyused by women as part of their beauty care routine. These nail careproducts are available in a multitude of product formulations, fromclears to infinite colors. Typically, clear nail enamel compositionsinclude a primary film forming polymer, a secondary film forming resin,a plasticizer and one or more solvents. In the case of a color nailenamel composition, the product will also include a thixotropic compoundas a suspending agent and one or more pigments, or in the alternative,an organic coloring polymer may be used. In addition to thesecomponents, a number of optional and proprietary components are oftenincluded such as UV light absorbers, moisturizers, stabilizers,fragrances and the like.

Despite the diverse formulation differences between known nail enamelcompositions, the required performance expectations are frequently thesame, for example, smooth application, rapid dry time, scratchresistance, detergent and oil resistance, lustrous appearance and, oftenmost importantly, wear and peel resistance. Many efforts to date havebeen made in order to maximize wear and peel resistance of nail enamelcompositions through the use of various components and additives. Forexample, see Soyama et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,822,423 which uses 0.1% to2.5% mica in the form of a leaf; Yamazaki, et al., U.S. Pat. No.4,820,509 which uses 1% to 4% of sucrose benzoate in combination withtoluene sulfonamide formaldehyde resins. However, there is still theneed for further improvements in nail enamel compositions. Accordingly,the present invention broadly discloses nail enamel compositions havingimproved peel and wear characteristics.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The broad objects of the present invention are to provide nail enamelcompositions which are suitable for use as base coats, color coats,clear coats and protective top coats while maintaining the desirablecharacteristics of the nail enamel compositions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide nail enamelcompositions having a higher secondary film forming resin contentcompared to the primary film forming polymer.

Another object of the present invention is to provide nail enamelcompositions having improved peel and wear resistance.

Broadly, in accordance with the present invention, there is disclosednail enamel compositions which include a secondary film forming resinpresent in an amount greater than the primary film forming polymer. Theresulting nail enamel compositions evidence good gloss and wear and peelresistance, while at the same time, being safe to use with frequentapplications.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention there isdescribed a nail enamel composition consisting essentially of a filmforming polymer, a film forming resin present in an amount greater thanan amount of the film forming polymer, a solvent and a plasticizer.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention there isdescribed a nail enamel composition comprising a film forming polymer, afilm forming resin present in an amount greater than an amount of thefilm forming polymer, a solvent and a plasticizer, wherein thecomposition is free of mica in the form of a leaf and hydrocarbon basedsolvents.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention there isdescribed a nail enamel composition comprising a film forming polymer, afilm forming resin selected from the group consisting of polyesterresins, epoxy resins and mixtures thereof, the film forming resinpresent in an amount greater than an amount of the film forming polymer,a solvent and a plasticizer.

With an endless list of possible compounds which are functionallysuitable for use in a nail enamel composition, safety to the user ingeneral, and to the fingernail in particular, is also a very importantconsideration. Heretofore, various techniques have been disclosed withrespect to compositions of resins and solvents for improving, inparticular, the safety factor against damage to the fingernail while, atthe same time, maintaining the desirable properties of the nail enamelcomposition, e.g., good peel and wear resistance. In this regard, thereis known a number of nail enamel components which are desirable of beingremoved from the formulation. For example, nail enamel compositionstraditionally included a phthalate compound such as dibutyl phthalate asa plasticizer; an adhesion promoter or film forming resin such as apolymeric compound formed by condensation polymerization of formaldehydeor other aldehydes, typically an aromatic sulfonamide-aldehydecondensation resin such as o, p-toluene sulfonamide formaldehyde resin;and toluene as a diluent.

It is desirable that nail enamel compositions eliminate or reduced theamounts of phthalates, aldehydes (e.g., formaldehyde) condensationproducts and toluene in order to alleviate concerns that some wearersmay be sensitized to the aforementioned components. In addition, the useof toluene in nail enamel compositions has been severely restricted inCalifornia under Proposition 65. However, attempts to formulate nailenamel compositions without the aforementioned components have uncovereddifficulties because of the requirement to maintain the propertiesrequired of these compositions, such as long wear, high gloss, rapid drytime, resistance to chipping and peeling, and compatibility with othernail enamel components. In addition, these desired properties of nailenamel compositions are highly sensitive to changes in their componentsand to changes in the amounts of these components. Therefore, there isstill the need for nail enamel compositions having improved wear andpeel resistance and which exhibit satisfactory properties, as well ascontaining little or no undesirable components such as phthalates,aldehyde condensation products and/or toluene.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention there isdescribed a toluene formaldehyde free nail enamel composition consistingessentially of about 5 to 20% by weight nitrocellulose, about 10 to 25%by weight of one or more formaldehyde free film forming resins, the filmforming resins present in an amount greater than the amount of thenitrocellulose, a solvent and a plasticizer, and optionally athixotropic agent and at least one pigment.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention, as well as details of the preferred embodiments thereof, willbe more further understood from the following detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Nail enamel compositions of the present invention for coating a naturalor synthetic nail broadly include the ingredients of a primary filmforming polymer, a secondary film forming resin, a plasticizer and asolvent. The resulting composition will provide a clear nail enamel.Where a colored nail enamel composition is desired, a thixotropicsuspending agent and one or more pigments, or organic coloring polymersmay be included in the composition. In addition to the above components,the nail enamel compositions according the present invention may furtherinclude one or more additional ingredients, for example, UV lightabsorbers, stabilizer, fragrances, moisturizers and the like. Nailenamel compositions of these components are useful in a wide variety ofcosmetic applications such as base coats, color coats, clear coats andprotective top coats.

The nail enamel compositions of the present invention contain one ormore primary film forming polymers, for example, cellulose acetate,cellulose acetate butyrate, ethyl cellulose, vinyl polymers,nitrocellulose, as well as methacrylate and acrylate type polymers. Thepreferred primary film forming polymer for use in the present inventionis nitrocellulose which provides an unusual combination of properties oftoughness, durability, solubility and solvent release. Examples ofnitrocellulose are the so called nitrocellulose RS 1/8 sec. and 1/4sec.; nitrocellulose 1/2 sec.; and nitrocellulose RS 5-6 sec. and 60-80sec., which have higher viscosities than the earlier grades. The term"RS" refers to the brand of nitrocellulose with a nitrogen content ofabout 11.2-12.8% with solubility in esters, ketones and glycol ethersmanufactured by Hercules, Inc. The terms 1/8 sec., 1/4 sec., 1/2 sec.,5-6 sec., etc. represent viscosity and refer to the time it takes for aball to fall to a given depth in the material. Nitrocellulose istypically supplied in 70% concentrations, wet with 30% ethyl orisopropyl alcohol. As used in the present application, the percentage ofnitrocellulose in a given composition will be on a dry basis.

The use of too small an amount of nitrocellulose tends to result in thecoated films being easily damaged. On the other hand, the use of toolarge an amount of nitrocellulose can result in the coated film beingtoo hard and inflexible, which easily causes undesirable peeling andhence poor wear resistance. Nail enamel compositions of the presentinvention include primary film forming polymers and combinations thereofin an amount ranging from about 5 to 20% by weight, and more preferablyin the range of about 6 to 9% by weight.

In addition to the primary film forming polymer, the nail enamelcompositions of the present invention include an amount of one or moresecondary film forming resins effective to strengthen the primary filmforming polymer and to provide the nail enamel coating with acceptablegloss and adhesion characteristics. Exemplary secondary film formingresins which may be used in the present invention include, for example,drying and non-drying alkyd resins, polyvinyl resins for examplepolyvinyl acetate, polyester resins, acrylic polymers and copolymers,maleic modified glycerol esters of rosin, and toluene sulfonamide/epoxyresins, e.g., tosylamide epoxy resin. It is also within the scope ofnail enamel compositions of the present invention to include, ifdesired, aldehyde condensation products such as arylsulfonamideformaldehyde resins, specifically toluene sulfonamide formaldehyde resinwhich is a condensation product of formaldehyde and toluene sulfonamide.These secondary film forming resins are added to the nail enamelcompositions of the present invention to strengthen and add acceptablewear characteristics to the primary film forming polymer.

The preferred nail enamel compositions of the present invention includeas the secondary film forming resins polyester resins, epoxy resins suchas tosylamide epoxy resins and mixtures thereof. The amount of secondaryfilm forming resin is present in an amount greater than the amount ofthe primary film forming polymer. The resulting nail enamel compositionshaving a higher secondary film forming resin content result in the nailenamel coating possessing superior gloss and wear characteristics overconventional nail enamel compositions. In addition, these compositionsretain the desirable properties and characteristics required of nailenamel compositions. The amount of secondary film forming resin rangesfrom about 10 to 25% by weight of the composition, and preferably about10 to 15% by weight of the composition.

In addition to the primary film forming polymer and secondary filmforming resin, the nail enamel compositions according to the presentinvention also include at least one plasticizer to soften and plasticizethe primary film forming polymer. The plasticizer may be in eitherliquid or solid form, as well as combinations thereof. The nail enamelcompositions may include one or more of the known plasticizers which aresuitable for use in nail enamel compositions. Examples of such knownplasticizers include tricresyl phosphate, dibutyl tartrate, benzylbenzoate, tributyl phosphate, butyl acetyl ricinoleate, butyl glycolate,butyl stearate, triphenyl phosphate, triethyl citrate, camphor, castoroil, esters of citric, stearate, phalic, oleic, phosphate, butyric andbenzoic acid, glyceryl triacetate and glyceryl triproprionate andmixtures thereof.

Another useful plasticizer which has heretofore been unknown for use innail enamel compositions includes compounds of: ##STR1## wherein R₁ andR₂ are the same or different and represent linear or branched alkylgroups containing from one to 18 carbon atoms, and R₃ and R₄ are thesame or different and represent linear or branched alkyl groupscontaining from one to five carbon atoms, provided that one of R₃ or R₄may be hydrogen. These plasticizers include compounds of 2, 2,4-trimethyl-1, 3-pentanediol and derivatives thereof, such as its mono-and diisobutyrate esters, and most preferably 2, 2, 4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol diisobutyrate which is disclosed in Applicants' co-pendingapplication. The nail enamel compositions of the present invention alsocontemplate, if desired, the use of phthalate type plasticizers eitheralone or in combination with the aforementioned plasticizers.

Plasticizers included in the compositions of the present invention arein amounts sufficient to provide acceptable flexibility to the nailenamel film on the human or synthetic nail surface. In this regard, theamount of plasticizer for use in the nail enamel compositions of thepresent invention range from about 3 to 10% by weight, and preferablyabout 4 to 8% by weight.

The nail enamel compositions of the present invention include one ormore solvents such as those generally used in conventional nail enamelcompositions. Examples of these solvents include ethyl acetate, methylacetate, ethanol, isopropanol, propyl acetate, n-butanol, xylene,aromatic (containing phenyl groups), amyl acetate, ethers, ketones,alkanes for example, pentane, cyclopentane, hexane, heptane,cyclohexane, cyclic ethers for example, tetrahydrofuran and 1,4-dioxane,cellosolve, butyl cellosolve acetate, cellosolve acetate, methylcellosolve acetate, butyl cellosolve, ethyl cellosolve, phenylatedsolvents for example, xylene, esters of acetic acid for example, methylacetate, ethyl acetate, n-butyl acetate, chlorinated hydrocarbons forexample, methylene chloride, chloroform and methylchloroform. It is alsocontemplated that toluene, if desired, can be included as a solvent ordiluent for use in a nail enamel composition in accordance with thecompositions of the present invention. The aforementioned solvents canbe used alone or in mixtures thereof. In general, the amount of solventused in the compositions of the present invention range from about 55 to80% by weight, and preferably about 60 to 75% by weight.

In color compositions according to the present invention, one or morepigments and a thixotropic agent are also added. One or more knownorganic colorants may also be added to these compositions. Pigments areadded to the composition to provide cosmetically acceptable shades andto pacify the films. Pigments for use in the present invention mayinclude any of those pigments which are generally known for use in nailenamel compositions. For example, these pigments can include cosmeticgrade or purified titanium dioxide, yellow and red iron oxides, bismuthoxychloride, iron blue, iron black, mica particles, ultramarine blue,D&C Red #7, chromide oxide greens, carbon black and lampblack. Otherpigments which may be used in compositions according to the presentinvention may include the Lake pigments, for example, D&C Red #6 bariumLake and D&C Red #7 calcium Lake.

In addition to the above named pigments, there may also be includedtitanated micas, polethylene teraphalates and pearl essence which is asuspension of crystalline guanine in nitrocellulose and solvents, aswell as other additives which will affect the appearance of the pigment.Although the amount of pigment in the compositions of the presentinvention will vary as a function of the type of pigment and othercomponents included in the composition, in general, pigments can beincluded in the amount up to about 15% by weight, and preferably in theamount up to from about 1 to 4% by weight.

When pigments are included in compositions according to the presentinvention, it is useful to include a thixotropic agent for enhancing thesuspension of the pigments in the other components of the composition.Although a number of thixotropic agents which are generally used inconventional nail enamel compositions may be used to producecompositions according to the present invention, preferred thixotropicagents include the thixotropic clays, especially stearalkoniumhectorite, stearalkonium bentonite and mixtures thereof. The thixotropicagent is present in the compositions of the present invention in amountssufficient to produce a gel, preferably a colloidal gel. In general, thethixotropic agent is included in the amount ranging from about 0.5 to 3%by weight, and preferably in the amount ranging from about 0.7 to 1.5%by weight.

In addition to the above described components, the compositions of thepresent invention may also include additional additives includingstabilizers, UV light absorbers, fragrances, moisturizers and medicants,depending on the intended result. These components are well known in theart and may be included in amounts well within the teachings of theprior art.

The nail enamel compositions in accordance with the present inventioncan be manufactured by thoroughly and intimately mixing together all thecomponents in the amounts described in accordance with the presentinvention. Examples of satisfactory equipment and how to use then arereadily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the nail enamel art.

The following examples are provided to illustrate the nail enamelcompositions of the present invention and should not be construed tolimit the scope of the invention in any way.

EXAMPLE 1

    ______________________________________                                                             WT. %                                                    ______________________________________                                        nitrocellulose 1/4 sec.                                                                              3.8 (dry)                                              nitrocellulose 5-6 sec.                                                                              4.2 (dry)                                              toluenesulfonamide formaldehyde resin                                                                12.8                                                   triphenyl phosphate    6.00                                                   ethyl acetate          30.43                                                  butyl acetate          25.10                                                  isopropyl alcohol      14.56                                                  2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol diisobutyrate                                                        1.0                                                    stearalkonium bentonite                                                                              1.05                                                   pigment                1.06                                                                          100.00                                                 ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 2

    ______________________________________                                                             WT. %                                                    ______________________________________                                        nitrocellulose 1/4 sec.                                                                              3.7 (dry)                                              nitrocellulose 5-6 sec.                                                                              4.2 (dry)                                              toluenesulfonamide epoxy resin                                                                       12.00                                                  triphenyl phosphate    4.50                                                   isopropyl alcohol      13.60                                                  ethyl acetate          32.35                                                  butyl acetate          25.55                                                  2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol diisobutyrate                                                        2.0                                                    stearalkonium bentonite                                                                              .98                                                    pigment                1.12                                                                          100.00                                                 ______________________________________                                    

The following examples are provided to broadly illustrate suspensionbases for color nail enamel compositions.

EXAMPLE 3

    ______________________________________                                                        WT. %                                                         ______________________________________                                        polyester resin   5.60                                                        tosylamide epoxy resin                                                                          4.96                                                        nitrocellulose    8.87 (dry)                                                  ethyl acetate     32.50                                                       butyl acetate     28.35                                                       isopropyl alcohol 11.52                                                       dibutyl phthalate 6.50                                                        diacetone alcohol 0.68                                                        citric acid       0.02                                                        stearalkonium hectorite                                                                         0.25                                                        stearalkonium bentonite                                                                         0.75                                                                          100.00                                                      ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 4

    ______________________________________                                                        WT. %                                                         ______________________________________                                        polyester resin   5.60                                                        tosylamide epoxy resin                                                                          4.96                                                        nitrocellulose    8.87 (dry)                                                  ethyl acetate     32.50                                                       butyl acetate     28.35                                                       isopropyl alcohol 11.52                                                       triphenyl phosphate                                                                             5.50                                                        dibutyl phthalate 1.00                                                        diacetone alcohol 0.68                                                        citric acid       0.02                                                        stearalkonium hectorite                                                                         0.25                                                        stearalkonium bentonite                                                                         0.75                                                                          100.00                                                      ______________________________________                                    

The present invention will be further illustrated by way of thefollowing comparative examples of conventional nail enamel compositionswith examples of nail enamel compositions in accordance with the presentinvention.

EXAMPLE 5

Nail Enamel A

    ______________________________________                                                             WT. %                                                    ______________________________________                                        polyester resin        8.40                                                   tosylamide epoxy resin 4.96                                                   nitrocellulose 1/4/5-6 sec.                                                                          8.87(dry)                                              ethyl acetate          30.00                                                  butyl acetate          27.18                                                  isopropyl alcohol      11.22                                                  triphenyl phosphate    4.62                                                   2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol diisobutyrate                                                        .85                                                    dibutyl phthalate      .50                                                    camphor                .10                                                    diacetone alcohol      .68                                                    citric acid            0.02                                                   stearalkonium hectorite                                                                              .25                                                    stearalkonium bentonite                                                                              .78                                                    D & C Red #6 barium Lake                                                                             .90                                                    D & C Red #7 calcium Lake                                                                            .35                                                    titanium dioxide       .32                                                                           100.00                                                 ______________________________________                                    

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 1

Nail Enamel B

    ______________________________________                                                            WT. %                                                     ______________________________________                                        nitrocellulose 1/4/1/2 sec.                                                                         12.52(dry)                                              toluene sulfonamide formaldehyde resin                                                              8.12                                                    butyl acetate         22.79                                                   ethyl acetate         18.74                                                   toluene               19.69                                                   isopropyl alcohol     5.72                                                    camphor               1.10                                                    benzophenone 1        0.04                                                    dibutyl phthalate     5.92                                                    diacetone alcohol     .84                                                     stearalkonium hectorite                                                                             .05                                                     stearalkonium bentonite                                                                             1.24                                                    citric acid           0.02                                                    polyester resin       1.07                                                    toluene sulfonamide epoxy                                                                           0.15                                                    titanium dioxide      .33                                                     D & C Red #6 barium Lake                                                                            .90                                                     D & C Red #7 calcium Lake                                                                           .76                                                                           100.00                                                  ______________________________________                                    

Twenty female panelists between the ages of twenty and sixty-five wereselected for the study. All subjects had normal, healthy nails and werefrequent users of nail enamel products. No pregnant or lactating womenwere included in the study. All twenty subjects completed the study.

Panelists cleansed their nails with acetone polish remover and washedtheir hands with Ivory Soap. For every two subjects, a bottle of NailEnamel A (Example 5) and a bottle of Nail Enamel B (ComparativeExample 1) were assigned. Each bottle was shaken prior to application.For subjects #1-#10, a licensed cosmetologist applied Nail Enamel A toalternate nails, starting with the right pinky, and Nail Enamel B wasapplied to the remaining alternate nails. For the remaining subjects(#11-#20), Nail Enamel B was applied to alternate nails, starting withthe right pinky and Nail Enamel A was applied to the remaining alternatenails. After initial application, the nail enamel was allowed to dry forfive minutes. A second coat was applied and allowed to dry for fifteenminutes.

After the second coat was applied, the Licensed Cosmetologist evaluatedthe nail enamel for application and appearance attributes. The criteriaevaluated included thickness, opacity, evenness, dry time and gloss.Panelists were informed not to use any other nail enamel product, and inthe event of a nail break, to minimally file to remove jagged edges.However, if a nail break interfered with the grading of nail enamelqualities, the broken nail and the same nail of the opposite hand wereexcluded from the evaluation.

All panelists returned on days 3, 5, 7, and 10 of the study for anevaluation of wear and gloss attributes. The gloss of the nail enamelwas rated by the cosmetologist using a scale ranging from zero to fourin whole number increments. The wear of the polish was rated using ascale that ranged from one to five in 0.5 point increments,corresponding with the amount of polish remaining on the nail tip ateach evaluation day.

The nail enamel wear was evaluated by scoring the amount of polishremaining at the nail tips, where nail polish wear is typically mostnoticeable. On day 10, subject #13 exhibited wear that had the oppositeorientation, wearing from the cuticle, but not from the tip. On day 3 ofthe study, subject #18 was not evaluated due to schedule conflict withwork.

Total scores for initial application and appearance are listed inTable 1. Based on tabulation of individual scores for the InitialApplication, Nail Enamel A and Nail Enamel B performed identically inthickness, opacity and evenness characteristics of applicationperformance. In addition, Nail Enamel A and Nail Enamel B performed thesame in Drying Time and Gloss parameters.

                                      TABLE 1                                     __________________________________________________________________________    Total Scores of Initial Application/Appearance                                Total Scores                                                                  (N = 20)                                                                                  Nail Enamel A                                                                              Nail Enamel B                                                       Total                                                                              % of    Total                                                                              % of                                         APPLICATION/                                                                              Total                                                                            Maximum                                                                            Maximum                                                                            Total                                                                            Maximum                                                                            Maximum                                      INITIAL APPEARANCE                                                                        Score                                                                            Score                                                                              Score                                                                              Score                                                                            Score                                                                              Score                                        __________________________________________________________________________    Thickness   100                                                                              100  100% 100                                                                              100  100%                                         Opacity     100                                                                              100  100% 100                                                                              100  100%                                         Evenness    100                                                                              100  100% 100                                                                              100  100%                                         Dry Time    100                                                                              100  100% 100                                                                              100  100%                                         Gloss       100                                                                              100  100% 100                                                                              100  100%                                         __________________________________________________________________________

The individual average scores for each subject for gloss evaluation atthe examination days (Days 3, 5, 7 and 10) appear on Table II, and theindividual average scores for wear evaluation at each examination appearon Table III. The overall average of the subjects' scores for eachexamination day are listed in the bottom rows of Tables II and III incolumns corresponding to each examination day.

                                      TABLE II                                    __________________________________________________________________________    Average Scores for Gloss Evaluations                                          Nail Enamel A               Nail Enamel B           Relative %                Subject                 % Max.                  % Max.                                                                            Difference                #   Day 3                                                                             Day 5                                                                             Day 7                                                                             Day 10                                                                            Average                                                                           Score                                                                             Day 3                                                                             Day 5                                                                             Day 7                                                                             Day 10                                                                            Average                                                                           Score                                                                             (A - B)                   __________________________________________________________________________     1  4.0 3.8 2.8 2.2 3.2 80  3.6 3.4 2.8 2.2 3.0 75  5                          2  4.0 3.8 2.8 2.0 3.2 80  3.6 2.8 2.8 1.6 2.7 68  12                         3  3.6 3.2 2.6 0.6 2.5 63  4.0 3.2 2.4 0.8 2.6 65  2                          4  4.0 3.8 2.8 1.8 3.1 78  4.0 3.4 2.6 1.8 3.0 75  3                          5  3.8 3.4 3.0 2.0 3.1 78  3.8 3.4 2.8 1.6 2.9 73  5                          6  3.6 2.8 2.2 1.6 2.6 65  3.2 2.6 2.2 1.2 2.3 58  7                          7  4.0 3.4 2.4 2.0 3.0 75  4.0 3.0 2.6 1.8 2.9 73  2                          8  3.4 3.0 2.4 2.3 2.8 70  3.4 2.4 1.4 1.8 2.3 58  12                         9  4.0 3.4 3.0 2.4 3.2 80  4.0 3.4 3.0 2.6 3.3 83  3                         10  4.0 3.4 2.8 2.0 3.1 78  4.0 3.4 2.6 1.4 2.9 73  5                         11  4.0 4.0 3.8 3.0 3.7 93  4.0 3.5 3.5 3.0 3.5 88  5                         12  3.2 2.6 2.4 2.0 2.6 65  3.2 3.0 2.4 2.0 2.7 68  -3                        13  3.8 3.2 2.6 1.8 2.9 73  4.0 3.2 2.8 1.4 2.9 73  0                         14  3.2 2.0 1.8 1.2 2.1 53  3.0 2.4 2.2 1.2 2.2 55  -2                        15  4.0 3.0 3.0 2.8 3.2 80  4.0 3.0 2.4 2.0 2.9 73  7                         16  4.0 3.6 2.4 2.4 3.1 78  3.6 3.4 2.8 2.2 3.0 75  3                         17  4.0 4.0 3.4 3.0 3.6 90  4.0 3.6 2.8 2.2 2.7 80  10                        18  **  3.0 3.0 2.4 2.8 70  **  3.0 2.8 2.2 2.7 68  2                         19  4.0 4.0 3.6 2.8 3.6 90  1.8 4.0 3.6 2.8 3.6 90  0                         20  4.0 3.8 3.0 1.8 3.2 80  4.0 4.0 2.8 1.4 3.1 78  2                         Average                                                                           3.8 3.4 2.8 2.1 3.0 76  3.7 3.2 2.7 1.9 2.9 72  4                         __________________________________________________________________________     **Day 3 evaluation was not made for suject #18                           

                                      TABLE III                                   __________________________________________________________________________    Average Scores for Wear Evaluation                                            Nail Enamel A               Nail Enamel B           Relative %                Subject                 % Max.                  % Max.                                                                            Difference                #   Day 3                                                                             Day 5                                                                             Day 7                                                                             Day 10                                                                            Average                                                                           Score                                                                             Day 3                                                                             Day 5                                                                             Day 7                                                                             Day 10                                                                            Average                                                                           Score                                                                             (A - B)                   __________________________________________________________________________     1  4.8 4.6 4.5 4.4 4.6 92  5.0 4.6 4.4 4.2 4.6 92  0                          2  4.6 4.3 4.3 4.0 4.3 86  4.0 4.4 4.3 3.6 4.2 84  2                          3  4.9 4.3 3.6 2.6 3.9 78  4.5 3.4 2.5 1.9 3.1 62  16                         4  4.7 4.5 4.5 4.0 4.4 88  4.9 4.6 4.4 3.4 4.3 86  2                          5  4.5 4.2 3.9 3.2 4.0 80  4.3 3.6 3.3 2.7 3.5 70  10                         6  4.8 4.7 4.6 4.1 4.6 92  4.9 4.6 4.3 3.5 4.3 86  6                          7  4.5 4.1 3.8 3.1 3.9 78  4.0 3.3 2.8 2.0 3.0 60  18                         8  4.7 4.6 4.5 4.1 4.5 90  4.8 4.6 4.5 3.6 4.4 88  2                          9  5.0 4.8 4.6 4.2 4.7 94  4.8 4.1 3.8 3.2 4.0 80  14                        10  4.7 4.1 3.8 3.3 4.0 80  4.4 3.7 3.2 2.6 3.5 70  10                        11  4.8 4.7 4.6 4.3 4.6 92  4.5 4.1 3.8 3.4 4.0 80  12                        12  5.0 4.6 4.5 4.4 4.6 92  5.0 4.6 4.4 3.7 4.4 88  4                         13  4.9 4.7 4.5 4.4 4.6 92  4.9 4.7 4.5 2.7 4.2 84  8                         14  4.6 4.5 4.3 3.7 4.3 86  4.4 4.0 3.4 3.1 3.7 74  12                        15  4.6 4.5 4.4 4.4 4.5 90  4.9 4.5 4.4 4.1 4.5 90  0                         16  4.4 4.4 4.1 3.9 4.2 84  4.6 4.3 4.1 3.8 4.2 84  0                         17  4.2 4.1 3.9 3.7 4.0 80  4.3 4.0 3.8 3.3 3.9 78  2                         18  **  4.4 4.3 3.9 4.2 84  **  4.2 4.0 3.3 3.8 76  8                         19  4.6 4.3 4.3 4.1 4.2 84  4.7 4.3 4.1 3.6 4.2 84  0                         20  4.7 4.4 4.0 3.0 4.3 86  4.7 4.4 3.9 3.4 4.1 82  4                         Average                                                                           4.7 4.4 4.3 3.9 4.3 86  4.6 4.2 3.9 3.3 4.0 80  7                         __________________________________________________________________________     **Day 3 evaluation was not made for subject #18                          

The overall average gloss scores and wear scores of Nail Enamel A werehigher than those calculated for Nail Enamel B at each examinationinterval. The Relative Percent Difference columns of Tables II and IIIlist, on an individual subject basis, the percentage value by which NailEnamel A out-performed Nail Enamel B. Subjects #2, #8, and #17 exhibited10-12% more gloss on their nails polished with Nail Enamel A than ontheir nails polished with Nail Enamel B over the four evaluation days.Of the remaining seventeen subjects, fourteen subjects exhibited highergloss (Range 2%-7%) on nails polished with Nail Enamel A. In subjects#3, #7 and #9, Nail Enamel A performed as much as 18% better than NailEnamel B in wear performance scoring over the ten day study period.Thirteen of the remaining seventeen subjects exhibited 2-12% better wearwith Nail Enamel A.

In addition to assigning scores for nail enamel wear, the extent andlocation of nail enamel wear was noted and is summarized as follows.Nail Enamel A-Day 3 no significant wear was observed; Day 5 nosignificant wear was observed; day 7 three subjects exhibited mild tomoderate enamel wear at the sides of nails and/or the cuticle area; andday 10 two subjects (#19 and #20) exhibited mild enamel wear, each onone nail, two subjects (#3 and #13) each exhibited extreme enamel wearon one cuticle area and the sides of three nails.

Nail Enamel B-Day 3 no significant wear was observed; Day 5 subject #5exhibited nail enamel wear near the cuticle are of all five nails; day 7seven subjects exhibited nail enamel wear near the cuticle area and/orthe sides of nails. In one of these subjects (#13), the wear in theseareas was extreme; and day 10 four subjects exhibited extreme enamelwear near cuticle area and/or sides of nails.

Relative percent value for gloss and wear evaluations, obtained bysumming the average daily scores of each subject at each examinationinterval and dividing by the potential maximum score, appear on TablesIV through VII.

                                      TABLE IV                                    __________________________________________________________________________    Relative Percent Values of Gloss and Wear Evaluation                          Total Scores                                                                             Nail Enamel A Nail Enamel B                                                   Total of                                                                          Total                                                                              % of Total of                                                                          Total                                                                              % of                                                   Average                                                                           Maximum                                                                            Maximum                                                                            Average                                                                           Maximum                                                                            Maximum                                                Scores                                                                            Score                                                                              Score                                                                              Scores                                                                            Score                                                                              Score                                       __________________________________________________________________________    GLOSS EVALUATION                                                                         72.6                                                                              76   96%  71.2                                                                              76   94%                                         WEAR EVALUATION                                                                          89  95   94%  88.2                                                                              95   93%                                         __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE V                                     __________________________________________________________________________    Relative Percent Values of Gloss and Wear Evaluation                          Total Scores                                                                             Nail Enamel A Nail Enamel B                                                   Total of                                                                          Total                                                                              % of Total of                                                                          Total                                                                              % of                                                   Average                                                                           Maximum                                                                            Maximum                                                                            Average                                                                           Maximum                                                                            Maximum                                                Scores                                                                            Score                                                                              Score                                                                              Scores                                                                            Score                                                                              Score                                       __________________________________________________________________________    GLOSS EVALUATION                                                                         67.2                                                                               80  84%  64.1                                                                               80  80%                                         WEAR EVALUATION                                                                          88.8                                                                              100  89%  84  100  84%                                         __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE VI                                    __________________________________________________________________________    Relative Percent Values of Gloss and Wear Evaluation                          Total Scores                                                                             Nail Enamel A Nail Enamel B                                                   Total of                                                                          Total                                                                              % of Total of                                                                          Total                                                                              % of                                                   Average                                                                           Maximum                                                                            Maximum                                                                            Average                                                                           Maximum                                                                            Maximum                                                Scores                                                                            Score                                                                              Score                                                                              Scores                                                                            Score                                                                              Score                                       __________________________________________________________________________    GLOSS EVALUATION                                                                         55.8                                                                               80  70%  53.3                                                                               80  67%                                         WEAR EVALUATION                                                                          85  100  85%  77.9                                                                              100  78%                                         __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE VII                                   __________________________________________________________________________    Relative Percent Values of Gloss and Wear Evaluation                          Total Scores                                                                             Nail Enamel A Nail Enamel B                                                   Total of                                                                          Total                                                                              % of Total of                                                                          Total                                                                              % of                                                   Average                                                                           Maximum                                                                            Maximum                                                                            Average                                                                           Maximum                                                                            Maximum                                                Scores                                                                            Score                                                                              Score                                                                              Scores                                                                            Score                                                                              Score                                       __________________________________________________________________________    GLOSS EVALUATION                                                                         42.1                                                                               80  53%  37.4                                                                               80  47%                                         WEAR EVALUATION                                                                          77.7                                                                              100  78%  65.1                                                                              100  65%                                         __________________________________________________________________________

The relative percent value differences obtained at day 3 for glossevaluation is 2% higher for Nail Enamel A compared to Nail Enamel B, andthe relative percent obtained for nail enamel wear for Nail Enamel A is1% higher than Nail Enamel B. On day 5, Nail Enamel A gloss is 4% higherthan Nail Enamel B and wear is 5% higher. On day 7, there was a 3%difference in the gloss and a 7% difference in the wear of Nail Enamel Aand Nail Enamel B, with Nail Enamel A scoring higher. On day 10, thedifference in relative percent between Nail Enamel A and Nail Enamel Bwas in favor of Nail Enamel A by 6% for gloss evaluation and by 13% forwear evaluation. In the evaluation of gloss and wear attributes of thetwo nail enamel formulations, the scores obtained for Nail Enamel A ateach evaluation interval (Days 3, 5, 7 and 10) were consistently higher.

EXAMPLE 6

Nail Enamel B

    ______________________________________                                                             WT. %                                                    ______________________________________                                        polyester resin        5.60                                                   tosylamide epoxy resin 4.95                                                   nitrocellulose 1/4/5-6 sec.                                                                          8.85(dry)                                              ethyl acetate          32.50                                                  butyl acetate          26.50                                                  isopropyl alcohol      11.50                                                  triphenyl phosphate    4.65                                                   2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol diisobutyrate                                                        .92                                                    dibutyl phthalate      .50                                                    camphor                .10                                                    diacetone alcohol      .68                                                    citric acid            0.02                                                   stearalkonium hectorite                                                                              .25                                                    stearalkonium bentonite                                                                              .75                                                    titanium dioxide       1.16                                                   iron oxides            .27                                                    D & C Red #7           .20                                                    etocrylene             .50                                                    mica                   .10                                                                           100.00                                                 ______________________________________                                    

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 2

Nail Enamel A

    ______________________________________                                                         WT. %                                                        ______________________________________                                        nitrocellulose 1/4/1/2 sec.                                                                      12.57(dry)                                                 polyester resin    8.10                                                       toluensulfonamide epoxy resin                                                                    .35                                                        ethyl acetate      30.39                                                      butyl acetate      16.75                                                      butyl alcohol      1.71                                                       propyl acetate     9.44                                                       isopropyl alcohol  9.74                                                       dibutyl phthalate  6.19                                                       camphor            1.10                                                       diacetone alcohol  .66                                                        stearalkonium bentonite                                                                          1.01                                                       stearalkonium hectorite                                                                          .02                                                        etocrylene         .50                                                        benzophenone 1     0.08                                                       citric acid        0.02                                                       titanated mica     0.12                                                       titanium dioxide   1.00                                                       D & C Red #6 barium Lake                                                                         .05                                                        iron oxides        .10                                                        D & C Red #7 calcium Lake                                                                        .10                                                                           100.00                                                     ______________________________________                                    

Ten female panelists were selected for the study. All subjects hadnormal, healthy nails and were frequent users of nail products. Nopregnant or lactating women were included in the study.

Panelists cleansed their nails with acetone polish remover and washedtheir hands with Ivory Soap. For every two subjects, a bottle of NailEnamel A (Comparative Example 2) and a bottle of Nail Enamel B (Example6) were assigned. Each bottle was shaken prior to application. Forsubjects #1-#10, a licensed cosmetologist applied Nail Enamel A toalternate nails, starting with the left pinky, and Nail Enamel B wasapplied to the remaining alternate nails (Subjects 1-5). Nail Enamel Bwas applied to alternate nails, starting with the left pinky and NailEnamel A was applied to the remaining alternate nails (Subjects 6-10).After initial application, the nail enamel was allowed to dry for fiveminutes. A second coat was applied and allowed to dry for fifteenminutes.

After the second coat was applied, the Licensed Cosmetologist evaluatedthe nail enamel for application and appearance attributes. The criteriaevaluated included thickness, opacity, evenness, dry time and gloss.Panelists were informed not to use any other nail product, and in theevent of a nail break, to minimally file to remove jagged edges.

All panelists returned on day 3, day 7, and day 10 of the study for anevaluation of wear and gloss attributes. On day 3 of the study, subjectnumber 3 was not evaluated due to an illness in the family. All tensubjects completed the study. Total scores for initial application andappearance are listed in Table I.

                                      TABLE I                                     __________________________________________________________________________    Total Scores of Initial Application/Appearance                                Total Scores                                                                  (N = 10)                                                                                  Nail Enamel A                                                                              Nail Enamel B                                                       Total                                                                              % of    Total                                                                              % of                                         APPLICATION/                                                                              Total                                                                            Maximum                                                                            Maximum                                                                            Total                                                                            Maximum                                                                            Maximum                                      INITIAL APPEARANCE                                                                        Score                                                                            Score                                                                              Score                                                                              Score                                                                            Score                                                                              Score                                        __________________________________________________________________________    Thickness   50 50   100% 40 50   80%                                          Opacity     50 50   100% 40 50   80%                                          Eveness     50 50   100% 40 50   80%                                          Dry Time    49 50   100% 49 50   98%                                          Gloss       50 50   100% 50 50   100%                                         __________________________________________________________________________

Individual average scores for gloss evaluation for the three evaluations(Days 3, 7 and 10) appear on Table II.

                  TABLE II                                                        ______________________________________                                        Individual Average Scores of Gloss Evaluation                                 (Day 3, 7, 10)                                                                Subject                                                                       Number      Nail Enamel A                                                                            Nail Enamel B                                          ______________________________________                                        1           2.5        2.9                                                    2           2.9        3.1                                                     3*         2.3        2.9                                                    4           2.5        2.7                                                    5           3.3        3.5                                                    6           3.1        3.2                                                    7           2.7        2.5                                                    8           2.7        2.9                                                    9           2.9        3.2                                                    10          2.7        2.5                                                    ______________________________________                                         *Subject #3 scores are based on two (2) evaluations (no evaluation day 3)

Individual average scores for wear evaluation for the three evaluationsappear on Table III.

                  TABLE III                                                       ______________________________________                                        Individual Average Scores of Wear Evaluation                                  Day (3, 7, 10)                                                                Subject                                                                       Number      Nail Enamel A                                                                            Nail Enamel B                                          ______________________________________                                        1           3.5        3.8                                                    2           4.2        4.3                                                     3*         2.7        3.8                                                    4           3.9        4.4                                                    5           4.4        4.5                                                    6           4.3        4.5                                                    7           4.4        4.7                                                    8           4.3        4.4                                                    9           4.3        4.2                                                    10          3.9        4.1                                                    ______________________________________                                         *Subject #3 scores are based on two (2) evaluations (no evaluation day 3)

Total percentage scores for gloss and wear evaluations appear on TableIV.

                                      TABLE IV                                    __________________________________________________________________________    Total Percentage Scores of Gloss and Wear Evaluation                          Total Scores                                                                             Nail Enamel A Nail Enamel B                                                   Total of                                                                          Total                                                                              % of Total of                                                                          Total                                                                              % of                                                   Average                                                                           Maximum                                                                            Maximum                                                                            Average                                                                           Maximum                                                                            Maximum                                                Scores                                                                            Score                                                                              Score                                                                              Scores                                                                            Score                                                                              Score                                       __________________________________________________________________________    GLOSS EVALUATION                                                                         27.6                                                                              40   70%  29.4                                                                              40   74%                                         WEAR EVALUATION                                                                          39.9                                                                              50   80%  42.7                                                                              50   85%                                         __________________________________________________________________________

Based on a tabulation of individual scores for the Initial Application,Nail Enamel A performed better than Nail Enamel B in thickness, opacityand evenness parameters of application performance. Nail Enamel A andNail Enamel B performed the same in Drying Time and Gloss parameters(Table I).

Based on a tabulation of individual average Gloss Evaluations, NailEnamel B performed better than nail Enamel A in eight of ten subjects(Table II). No differences between Products were found on day 3 and day7. On day 10, Nail Enamel B was found to be significantly better thanNail Enamel A.

Individual average scores for the Wear Evaluations indicate that NailEnamel B performed better than Nail Enamel A in nine of ten subjects.(Table III). Average scores for days 3, 7 and 10 were analyzed forsignificant differences in wear utilizing a Sign Test for significance.No differences between formulations were found on day 3. On day 7 andday 10, Nail Enamel B was found to be significantly better than NailEnamel A. Based on a total percentage of scores for Gloss and WearEvaluations, Nail Enamel B performed better than Nail Enamel A (TableIV).

Although the invention herein has been described with reference toparticular embodiments, it is to be understood that the embodiments aremerely illustrative of the principles and application of the presentinvention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modificationsmay be made to the embodiments and that other arrangements may bedevised without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention as defined by the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A nail enamel composition comprisingnitrocellulose, a film forming resin comprising a polyester resin or asulfonamide epoxy resin, said resin present in an amount greater than anamount of said nitrocellulose, a solvent and a plasticizer.
 2. The nailenamel composition of claim 1, wherein said nitrocellulose is present inan amount less than about 10% by weight and said resin is present in anamount greater than about 10% by weight.
 3. The nail enamel compositionof claim 1, wherein said nitrocellulose is present in the range of about5 to 20% by weight, said resin is present in the range of about 10 to25% by weight, said solvent is present in the range of about 55 to 80%by weight and said plasticizer is present in the range of about 3 to 10%by weight.
 4. The nail enamel composition of claim 1, further includinga thixotropic agent and at least one pigment.
 5. The nail enamelcomposition of claim 1, wherein said solvent comprises a plurality oftoluene free solvents.
 6. The nail enamel composition of claim 1,wherein said sulfonamide epoxy resin comprises tosylamide epoxy resin.7. The nail enamel composition of claim 1, wherein said composition isfree of a formaldehyde resin.
 8. The nail enamel composition of claim 1,wherein said solvent is selected from the group consisting of ethylacetate, butyl acetate, isopropyl alcohol and mixtures thereof.
 9. Thenail enamel composition of claim 1, wherein said composition is acetonefree.
 10. The nail enamel composition of claim 1, wherein saidplasticizer comprises 2, 2, 4 trimethyl-1, 3-pentanediol diisobutyrate.11. A nail enamel composition comprising about 6 to 9% by weightnitrocellulose, about 10 to 15% by weight of a film forming resincomprising a polyester resin or a sulfonamide epoxy resin, said resinpresent in an amount greater than an amount of said nitrocellulose,about 60 to 75% by weight of a solvent and about 4 to 8% by weight of aplasticizer.
 12. The nail enamel composition of claim 11, furtherincluding a thixotropic agent and at least one pigment.
 13. The nailenamel composition of claim 11, wherein said solvent comprises aplurality of toluene free solvents.
 14. The nail enamel composition ofclaim 11, wherein said sulfonamide epoxy resin comprises tosylamideepoxy resin.
 15. The nail enamel composition of claim 11, wherein saidcomposition is free of a formaldehyde resin.
 16. The nail enamelcomposition of claim 11, wherein said solvent is selected from the groupconsisting of ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, isopropyl alcohol andmixtures thereof.
 17. The nail enamel composition of claim 11, whereinsaid composition is acetone free.
 18. The nail enamel composition ofclaim 11, wherein said plasticizer comprises 2, 2, 4 trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol diisobutyrate.